Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is the organising body behind the zdi Centre for the Kleve District, ‘cleverMINT’, which was officially opened in November 2012. To mark its tenth anniversary, the zdi Centre for the District of Kleve has further developed and expanded its region-specific STEM programmes and inspired young people to take an interest in STEM through numerous courses. The work of the zdi Centre for the District of Kleve in the region reinforces Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, which include the goals of quality education for all and gender equality, particularly through specific programmes for girls in the STEM fields. Furthermore, the zdi Centre for the District of Kleve supports the university’s significant responsibility for training the next generation of skilled workers and, through its programmes, attracts prospective students to STEM degree programmes. The zdi Quality Seal 2023 was awarded in recognition of this outstanding work.
‘Zukunft durch Innovation.NRW’ (zdi.NRW), through its regional zdi networks, offers a comprehensive and diverse range of extracurricular activities in the STEM fields for young people across the region. This gives several hundred pupils the opportunity to find out about different STEM fields at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, to learn about STEM careers and degree programmes, and to try them out for themselves.
Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, regards the zdi programme as a key priority: “In our zdi laboratories, the skilled workers of the future learn just how much fun science and technology can be. At Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, young people can experience and understand scientific phenomena using all their senses. The zdi quality seal awarded to Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is an expression of our recognition of the dedicated and high-quality work carried out here. We urgently need such extracurricular programmes to inspire more pupils to pursue technical careers.”
Outstanding STEM promotion
Each year, the Ministry of Culture and World Heritage (MKW) awards the quality seal to zdi networks that meet the agreed criteria for high-quality STEM programmes in North Rhine-Westphalia. The seal recognises this successful work. The criteria include, amongst other things: successful networking and collaboration with regional partners from various sectors; the implementation of a bottom-up approach tailored to region-specific needs; the clear promotion of STEM programmes in the region; acting as a central point of contact; and, last but not least, a comprehensive and high-quality portfolio of programmes.
zdi.NRW
zdi.NRW stands for ‘Zukunft durch Innovation.NRW’ (Future through Innovation.NRW) and, with over 5,000 partnerships with stakeholders from the fields of science, business, education, politics and society, is Europe’s largest network for promoting young talent in STEM. zdi programmes are available across the board in all districts and independent cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Over the past 15 years, zdi.NRW has reached over two million young people. Over 70 school laboratories offer children and young people spaces to experience STEM, pursue their enthusiasm for STEM and find out about STEM training and degree programmes. The courses and programmes offered by zdi.NRW also contribute to the dissemination of the latest scientific findings from universities. zdi.NRW is coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. State-wide partners include the Ministries of Schools and Education and of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the North Rhine-Westphalia Regional Directorate of the Federal Employment Agency. Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is the organisation behind the zdi Centre for the Kleve District, ‘cleverMINT’, which was officially opened in November 2012.
